Back to Work

Jeremy went back to work on Monday, and we jumped into it with both feet!  There was a project that they brought him on for that needed done fairly quickly and required going to Cincinnati .  So, he was gone on Tuesday thru late Wednesday night.  Madison and I went to the park and did some things together those nights.  It went well.  On Thursday, he came home because I had parent-teacher conferences, so he was in charge of Madison that night.  On Friday, he had to drive back down there, but was back by supper time.  It made the week go fast having all those things to juggle. 

On Saturday, we headed to see family.  We spent the morning playing with Cale, Landen, and Ben.  Steph made it home from work in time to join us for lunch.  Madison had a blast running up and down the hallway with the two boys.  We then went to my parents’ house for nap time and a delicious supper; mom tried a new recipe on us, and it was very successful!  Finally, we went to surprise Maynard at his 60th birthday celebration!  We were able to enjoy some ice cream cake, conversation, and seeing family.  Ken and Lois had driven in for the party as well.  Here are a few pictures…

             

              

Survived

I made it through last week.  Thank you to all who were praying for the energy I needed.  Good news came last week for our family as well.  Jeremy was offered a job with a company here in Columbus only a few minutes from our house!  He starts on Monday.  This is great for us.  I will say that I will miss all the ways he helped here at home while he didn’t have a job – cleaning, cooking, shopping, and sharing special daddy time with Madison.  It has been neat to watch their relationship grow.  On Friday he said it was a perfect day – sunshine, a glorious time walking the trails with Madison at a local metropark, finished with a long nap.  I am glad he ended with such a good memory, instead of one of those rainy-stuck-in-the-house days.  It will be another transition for us, but I hope it will be a good one.  Here is an evening hang out picture:

My parents came on Friday night to watch Madison so Jeremy and I could go out.  We had planned on going to a marriage class for the next 6 weeks at church, but it was canceled.  So, we asked them to come this week anyway, and we went out to eat and then to a movie (Courageous).  After the movie (around 9:30pm) we were trying to decide what to do, and only came up with going to a coffee shop.  The local uptown one closed at 10pm and Starbucks closed at 10:30.  We went to Starbucks.  I don’t think I could have made it much past 10:30 anyway!  It was good to reconnect. 

Saturday, Jeremy worked on fixing the community mailboxes while mom, dad, Madison, and I went to the park.  Here are a few fun pictures, including looking at a caterpillar on the ground.

                     

                

Another Week Approaches

We had a beautiful - sunny at least and not too cold - yesterday. It was a good break from the rain and cold. I am fine with colder temps; I am not as okay with them when they are paired with rain. Madison and I went to the park Sunday after her nap for about an hour. It was a much needed break from the house for both of us. Jeremy stayed home for football and apple pie baking in honor of our Sunday evening guests - Brent (Jeremy's former roommate) and his fiance, Amy. It was nice to meet her and catch up with Brent again, although it did make for a little later night than usual... I am sure our young, without children guests would not agree that 10pm is late :)

This week looms before me and I am not excited - IEP on Monday, dentist and book club on Tuesday, IEP on Wednesday, nothing Thursday!!!, marriage class on Friday. Yikes. I will make it, and I will be extremely grateful for the 2 hours of laying on the couch after Madison goes to bed. I hope everyone has a great week.

24 Weeks

This weekend my parents came late Saturday afternoon til Sunday around 9am.  It was good to see them again, but I think Madison was the one who enjoyed it the most!  It was a beautiful night, so we headed to the park to play after supper.  After Madison went to bed, it was good to catch up.  It was my first weekend home since school started and it was much needed!  I feel more refreshed this week for school, and I think that makes a big difference. 

Today, I had my 24 week check up with a bonus ultrasound.  At 20 weeks, she couldn’t see the heart very well, so she wanted to see me again.  I didn’t have a problem with that.  I love the ultrasounds.  Here are some of the pictures (in 3-D) from the morning visit:

             

             

Oh, yes, here is my updated baby bump picture too.  On the left is at 20 weeks; the right is now.

                             

As to not be neglected, here is big sister playing with mommy’s shoes.  It was cute, but even cuter to watch her walk in them! 

Have a great rest of the week.

Almost a month’s worth

Despite the title, I don’t know how much I’ll actually post here.  It is 6:10 in the morning and I might get this done before heading off to school.  I feel like life has been pretty hectic – school, gone on the weekend, etc.  I have not gotten out of the building before 4pm on most days – I can leave at 3, and I should leave by then.  I just feel very overwhelmed trying to get everything done – paperwork, lesson plans, phone calls, meetings.  I am sure it will all balance out; I’m just looking forward to that day!  At any rate, here is a quick synopsis and picture update of the last few weeks:

School started on September 6th.  Here is a second day picture – me going to school and Madison off to the sitter.  She is going to Jamie’s house two days a week right now.  We thought it was important for her to learn to play with others, make crafts, and experience different things – plus she likes going, and it gives Jeremy a break :) 

                               

On Saturday the 10th, Jeremy went to Holmes County to do a 100 mile bike ride there with Aaron Hershberger (a friend from my high school).  From the sounds of it, it started off well, then went downhill – leg cramps, chain falling off bike, and rain.  They got about 70-75 miles in before calling it quits.  It was still worth the experience of biking all those hills!  On Sunday the 11th, Jeremy celebrated his birthday….. and I completely forgot it.  Yep, I did it, and am admitting it.  We went to church, came home, were discussing some not so great lunch choices, when he subtly reminded me that the day held some significance…. I felt horrible.  I usually remember birthdays, and even send cards albiet sometimes a little late.  So, I had nothing to give him, but we went out for lunch and then I made apple coffee cake at his request.  Chalk up a few points for him!

On Monday the 12th, Jeremy and Madison headed to the Wayne County Fair.  From the sounds of it, it was a great day.  When I got home from work, I asked Madison about her day and she shouted “Animals!”.  Then she went on to list them or give them sounds.  Here are a few pictures from that day.

                 

                

Last weekend, I went to Camp Friedenswald with a group of ladies from Salem (picture on left).  It was a good time.  My college roommate goes to Camp as well; so we had a little reunion with four Bluffton alum while there (picture on right).  Although it was relaxing while there, the fact I was gone the whole weekend and rode in a car 11 hours made it feel like a less relaxing time.  I headed to bed around 9pm that night, and feel almost recovered. 

               

So, that’s about it with the big things.  I have a 24 week check up next week.  I’ll let you know how baby Yoh #2 is progressing.  Here are two more pics (playing dress up and the apple pie Jeremy baked last night).

                                 

Troy and Amanda’s Wedding

We got to pick Jason up at the airport on Friday night.  It was nice to spend a little extra family time with him.  Madison, although initially scared of the “strange” man who hopped in the car, recovered and loved to impress him with all her many talents – playing the harmonica, running, laughing, playing at the park, and talking.  Here they are hanging out on the couch:  Last weekend, we went to Jeremy’s cousin’s wedding.  It was at his aunt’s house, and it was beautiful.  With the exception of the heat (97F), it was perfect.  Madison did not make it through the ceremony – too chatty and antsy – but found space to walk in the reception area where I could still see/hear parts of the ceremony.  We walked around the yard to see all the flowers Diane had planted for use in the wedding.  These are my best Madison in the garden shots :)

                

There was a nice spread of cheese, crackers, and fruit for picture time.  They served Old Carolina bbq for the meal.  The cake looked simplistic and beautiful.  Some moving around during this time kept Madison occupied.  She mostly liked to go over to the cooler filled with ice that had held bottled water.  She tried to climb in once, but most of the time and usually wanted eat and play in the ice.  As hot as it was, I had no problem with this.  We ended up going home after the meal – I was running out of energy and Madison was starting to break down.  The cool bath/shower was a welcome relief.  Jeremy stayed, ate cake, danced, and partied til the cows came home.

                                   

                 

School has arrived

My bonus two weeks of summer has ended. I am back with students today. Yesterday, I was at school from 9-5pm - disgusting! I did get most of my IEPs gathered, emails with names sent to teachers, and dates noted. I feel more nervous about this year - a lot of unknowns, more responsibility across all grade levels, more juggling of classes, teaching science again.... I have been praying for confidence, which I don't know if I've felt a need to do before - maybe my first year? At any rate, I'm off to brush my teeth and to see what the day holds.

(We did go to Jeremy's cousin's wedding this weekend. I have a few pictures to post about that, but it will wait to a later hour.)